Akonta Mining Sues Lands Minister, Minerals Commission, Seeks GHS20m in Damages

Accra, Ghana - 30 April, 2025 - A local mining company, Akonta Mining Company Limited, has dragged the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, and the Minerals Commission to court over the revocation of its mining lease.

The company is seeking GHS 20 million in damages, claiming the government's decision was defamatory.

The controversy began when the Minister announced the cancellation of Akonta Mining's license, citing allegations of illegal mining activities in protected forest reserves.

According to the Minister, the company had encroached on the Aboi and Tano Nimiri Forest Reserves without permits and sold concessions to unauthorized miners.

Akonta Mining has vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as false and malicious. The company's lawsuit seeks not only damages but also a retraction of the government's statements and a public apology.

“Special/aggravated damages for libel published by the Defendant herein and republished by local and international media in the sum of Ghc20,000,000 (Twenty Million Ghana Cedis).

“An order compelling the Defendant to retract the defamatory statements published against the Plaintiff Company and issue an unqualified public apology with equal prominence across media platforms, including television, radio, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X.”

Other reliefs sought include:

- An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Minister from making further defamatory statements.

- Full reimbursement of legal costs and lawyer’s fees.

- Any other relief the court may deem appropriate.

Source: Lead News Online